Probably not.

CBJ just really liked Severson. They paid a 3rd to avoid competing at FA but also so they could go into the draft with a clear picture of priorities. It's a pretty specific case and I think many teams won't be looking to change their teams as much as CBJ will be at this specific draft.

As you mentioned, the 8 year term is the key variable for a sign-and-trade. That’s why NJD got a 3rd. If the acquiring team has no intention of offering 8 years then it just makes more sense to send a lesser pick for the player’s UFA rights and start negotiating directly with the player.

Yeah, I’d agree with that. It will likely be contained to 8-year deals and late pick Hayes/Edmundson type rights exchanges. But I could see an innovative GM attempt #4 (Miles Wood example)…especially this year since we may see more players opt for 1-year since cap will jump.

I've thought about the sign, retain and trade before. Made one with Evander Kane to the Oilers last year. I think max term would likely be 2 years as teams can change priorities pretty quickly. Would be great for a player that wants to sign with a team that is right against the cap but doesn't want to take a big discount. An example could be say Dubois wanted to go to Minnesota but they have very minimal cap space this year but next year they have multiple contracts coming off the books. They could make a deal where Winnipeg signs him for a 1 year 7M contract and then trades him to Minnesota at 3.5M for what would be a normal package plus a bit more for the retention. Since Dubois would be on an expiring contract he should be eligible for an extension immediately and they could then sign him for 8 x 8M afterwards or so. They would have the benefit of multiple contracts coming off the books plus cap expecting to go up. Also they get him signed for 9 years, if that's what the team wants and I'm sure the player would take 9 years over 7 or 8.

Also I've been thinking about making a team with this exact trade scenario lol

The only real benefit to the sign and trade is that it lets teams have the 8th year as leverage in contract talks. For the bruins guys, I doubt anyone want to give 8 years to Orlov or Bertuzzi. Or they'd be very dumb to imo.

Apparently, Fitzgerald had several offers for Severson’s rights. I don’t think anyone else negotiated a contract with him though. It may also be a reflection of thin UFA market…but clearly other teams were thinking the same thing.

The scenario that includes the Bruins above would essentially be this: Washington calls Boston and asks them not to let Orlov get to market…and offers Bruins a pick for Orlov rights. Boston counters by asking Caps to take a contract instead of sending a pick. To compromise, they find third team to take the Bruins unwanted contract and the Capitals pick.

I wasn’t suggesting it will happen or could happen…but it serves as my example there.

A little different in that he is an RFA. It would be a little like if he signs QO, then retaining a portion before trading him (the “Qualify-Retain-and-Trade”).

Just because CBJ was suckered into giving Severson an eight year deal (my opinion) doesn't; mean you can find other teams willing.